(Image: York Liberal Democrats)
Councillors are calling for a new postbox to be installed in a York town to stop residents facing “inconvenient” waits when sending mail.
The Liberal Democrats are urging Royal Mail to install the box outside the Haxby post office, which opened earlier this year in The Village following the closure of the town’s previous branch.
The Press understands that as there are four postboxes within half a mile of the new Haxby post office, Royal Mail is currently meeting its requirements from regulator Ofcom. Ofcom requires 98 per cent of all households across the UK to be within half a mile of a postbox.
Royal Mail declined to comment.
Ward councillor Andrew Hollyer, who was among the local politicians that campaigned to reopen a post office in Haxby, said a postbox outside the town's branch would “make life easier for customers and allow people to post letters outside opening hours too”.
“Having a permanent post office back in our community is a real success, but there is still one straightforward improvement needed: a postbox outside,” he said.
“If you’re collecting a prescription or attending a GP appointment, you should be able to drop off a stamped letter at the same time, without having to go inside and queue at the counter.
“For something that should take a few seconds, that extra wait is inconvenient.”
Cllr Hollyer added: “We’re grateful to the staff and everyone who helped bring the Post Office back. Now we’re asking Royal Mail to make this practical addition.”
Haxby and Wiggington’s Liberal Democrat ward councillors have launched a petition calling for the postbox to be installed.
The new Haxby post office opened in the former Dutch Nurseries store, near the Haxby Surgery, in March.
It followed a temporary post office being set up at the Oaken Grove Community Centre after the Morrisons Daily branch, which housed the previous post office, closed last May following nationwide cuts by the supermarket.
Read next:
- Businessman's underground parking plan to tackle issues at major York shopping centre
- New supermarket planned for York- what's happening with B&Q
- 'Soul-destroying'- plants worth hundreds of pounds thrown in York park's lake
York Outer MP Luke Charters also campaigned to restore post office services to Haxby, describing the closure of the Morrisons Daily branch as “sad news for those who rely on these establishments for their jobs and daily needs”.
After the new post office opened in Haxby, the Labour MP said: “Many local businesses rely on the Post Office day-to-day, and this will benefit residents in Haxby, Wigginton and beyond, who depend on these services.
“It’s great to once again have a permanent home for the Post Office at the heart of the community, supporting the vibrant high street. I’d also like to thank Haxby Town Council for their work in working with me to make this happen.”